The best of Second City: 65 years of funny

The Second City, the Chicago-based comedy troupe known for launching the careers of Tina Fey, Bill Murray, and other household names, will bring its 65th anniversary tour to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Monday, Oct. 13.

The Second City is not just a comedy club; it’s a veritable Ivy League for improvisers and writers. What began in 1959 as a small, experimental theater has grown into a global institution.

The simple premise—a cast of performers creating scenes and characters in the moment, guided by audience suggestions—has been refined and passed down through generations of comedic talent.

What ties them all together is a fearless approach to performance. The Second City teaches its performers to be brave, to fail quickly and brilliantly, and to listen more than they speak.

It’s an ensemble-first philosophy that prioritizes the group’s comedic discovery over individual glory. This is the foundation upon which their touring shows are built.

The show is a mix of time-tested, audience-favorite sketches, but the real magic happens during the improv segments. With a single word or phrase from the audience, the performers build entire worlds and characters on the spot. It’s a high-wire act with no safety net, and it’s a chance for the cast to connect with the community in a truly unique way.

Enter: the magic of improvisation. The cast will likely riff a sketch about the island’s famous golf courses, a song about the retirees who call the Lowcountry home, or a scene that pokes fun at the specific quirks of life in South Carolina. The laughter that follows isn’t just at the jokes; it’s at the shared understanding and the feeling of being in on the fun.

This is an opportunity to experience the art of improv up close, to shout out a suggestion and see it transformed into a hilarious sketch right before your eyes. The 65th Anniversary Celebration of Second City isn’t just a show; it’s a living piece of comedy history, and when you come to the Arts Center on Monday, October 13 (4:00pm & 7:30pm), you’ll be front and center for it all.

Tickets or season subscriptions (which include presenting shows like this one) may be purchased by visiting the website at tickets.artshhi.com or by calling (843) 842-ARTS (2787).